Oil Prices Near Two-Year High, But for How Long?

West Texas Intermediate is trading near a two-year high at $54.00 per barrel, as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and other-major non-OPEC oil producers (minus the U.S. and Canada) says it will stick with its intended production cuts through 2018.

This has resulted in 1.8 million barrels of oil being removed from the market. Oil bulls have responded by sending oil prices higher. But are oil bulls being a little premature with their optimism?

Despite the recent strength in oil prices, many expect crude to hit a ceiling in 2018 at around $60 per barrel. Even that might be a little high. Mexico locked in an average price of $46 per barrel for 2018.1 This is significant; the Mexican oil hedge is one of the biggest hedging bets on Wall Street.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., roughly two-thirds of American oil and gas executives expect oil prices to trade between $40 and $50 per barrel in 2018.2 Only two percent of oil and gas executives think oil prices will breach the $60 mark in 2018. Last year at this time, 55% said oil would top $60.

It’s not just oil and gas companies that are worried. Credit Suisse (NYSE/CS) thinks oil prices will remain below $60 per barrel until at least 2020.3 Morgan Stanley (NYSE/MS) downgraded its outlook for crude in 2020 to just $60 (from $70-$75 per barrel).4

Why are those outside OPEC not as bullish on oil prices in 2018? Drilling in the U.S. has undermined any meaningful production cuts. On top of that, slow economic growth in emerging markets, including China, is helping keep a lid on oil and other commodity prices. This should carry into 2018. Oil prices look solid, but the world is still awash with crude and U.S. production remains high.

The rise of renewable energy (wind, solar) and the global adoption of electric vehicles should also have a detrimental effect on oil prices in 2018. Some even predict electric vehicles and alternative fuel have the potential to send oil prices crumbling to just $10 per barrel by 2023.5 It’s entirely possible, especially when you consider roughly 70% of oil is used for transportation.

Now, 2023 might seem like a long ways away, but the fact is, oil isn’t going to just tumble overnight; it’s going to be a drawn-out affair. And it appears that even those in the oil and gas industry see interest in crude oil waning in 2018.

Learn-To-Trade.com, Canada’s Leader in Stock Market Trading Courses

There are a lot of different ways to invest in commodities like oil and gold (or agriculture, energy, livestock, metals). There are exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, hedge funds, and futures contracts. Investors can also purchase stocks in individual companies. When it comes to oil, there’s more to consider than just oil prices; there’s the impact oil has on the broader U.S. economy, jobs, and consumer spending. All of which presents investors with various investing opportunities. That’s where Learn-To-Trade.com comes in.

As Canada’s oldest and leading provider of stock market trading courses, the trading experts at Learn-To-Trade.com can show investors how to interpret oil prices and the broader implications high, or low prices have, on the markets.

At Learn-To-Trade.com, we’ll show you how to read charts, about technical, fundamentals, risk management, and capital preservation. You will also learn about commodities, futures, stock options, foreign markets, stock index trading, and Forex (currency) trading.

At Learn-To-Trade.com we understand that no two investors are alike. That’s why we have a unique, Lifetime Membership that allows you to re-attend any part of the program as often as you’d like.

To learn more about Learn-To-Trade.com’s stock market trading course, contact us at 416-510-5560 or by e-mail at info@learn-to-trade.com.

George Karpouzis is the co-founder of Learn-to-Trade and has been personally providing education and mentoring to over 3000 members since 1999. George has been trading in the stocks, options, futures and forex markets using technical analysis since 1986. With the help of advancements in trading technology the Learn To Trade program is now accessible worldwide. His background and passion for teaching brings an invaluable asset to our members. George is constantly striving to improve the program content and develop new strategic relationships for the benefit of the members. Add me to your G+

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